Rivals to Harland and Wolff known as the ’wee yard’. While Harland and Wolff has long dominated Northern Ireland’s cultural consciousness, other names that embodied Belfast’s shipbuilding industry have often been forgotten. While Harland and Wolff has long dominated Northern Ireland’s cultural consciousness, other names that embodied Belfast’s shipbuilding industry have often been forgotten.

Founding members of the Social Democratic and Labour Party. One of the founding members of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, Fitt acted as party leader until 1979. One of the founding members of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, Fitt acted as party leader until 1979.

Unionist politician and Orange Grand Master. Molyneaux was elected to the Westminster House of Commons for the Ulster Unionist Party in Antrim South. In contrast to his overall image as a hardliner, Molyneaux’s period as Westminster leader saw the party begin to distance itself from the Conservative Party, evidenced mainly by a less hostile attitude to the Labour Party.

The epitome of revolutionary nationalism.
The epitome of revolutionary nationalism, John Mitchel has always been a controversial figure in Irish history. A charismatic figure, excellent journalist and talented self-propagandist, John Mitchel became the epitome of revolutionary nationalism.

Self-educated founder and leader of the Independent Labour Party in Belfast. The self educated founder and leader of the Independent Labour Party in Belfast, William Walker (1871 – 1918) was a stalwart of Belfast’s speaker’s corner on the steps of the Custom House. The self educated founder and leader of the Independent Labour Party in Belfast, William Walker (1871 – 1918) was a stalwart of Belfast’s speaker’s corner on the steps of Custom House Square. His unique version of socialism and unionism became known as ‘Walkerism’.

The last liner to be built in Belfast. The last liner to be built in Belfast, the Canberra was regarded as a very ’British institution’. The last liner to be built in Belfast, the Canberra was regarded as a very ’British institution’.

Last of Belfast’s Olympic class liners. The Britannic never operated as a luxury cruiser, becoming a hospital ship in 1914. Sailing through the narrow Kea channel in November 1916, the Britannic sunk with 30 fatalities. Whether it was torpedoed or ran into a mine is still debated today.

A luxury liner and a naval transporter. The Olympic sunk a German U-boat in 1918, the only recorded instance of a merchant vessel sinking any type of warship during the first world war. The Olympic sunk a German U-boat in 1918, the only recorded instance of a merchant vessel sinking any type of warship during the first world war.

Belfast’s first White Star ship and first modern liner. Harland and Wolff’s luxury liners broke with early shipbuilding precedent. The Oceanic II remains the company’s most elegant vessel ever. Harland and Wolff’s luxury liners broke with early shipbuilding precedent. The Oceanic II remains the company’s most elegant vessel ever.

A relentless quest for the interrelations of man and woman in nature. Belfast-born Colin McGookin is a founder member of the Artists’ Collective of Northern Ireland and of Queen Street Studios, Belfast. Belfast-born Colin McGookin is a founder member of the Artists’ Collective of Northern Ireland and of Queen Street Studios, Belfast.